The Hall of Fame

Alicia Alvarez

Alicia Alvarez, devoted wife to Claudio Alvarez, was a woman marked by deep faith and unwavering commitment to prayer. In 1985, she was part of the original team that journeyed from the Brooklyn Tabernacle to support the launch of a new work—Christ Tabernacle—standing alongside Pastors Michael and Maria Durso in the church’s formative years. Prayer was the heartbeat of Alicia’s life, and she became one of the founding members of the Prayer Band, helping to lay a strong spiritual foundation through consistent intercession. Her legacy of faith and prayer continues to echo through the lives she touched and the church she prayed for.

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Angelo Mena

Angelo Mena, devoted husband to Sophie Mena, was a faithful and compassionate Pastor whose heart for people reflected the love of Jesus. Though he was an established and committed member of his previous church, Angelo and Sophie felt the call of God to leave the familiar behind and support the work at Christ Tabernacle. Alongside Sophie, he initially served in the children's ministry, helping lay a strong foundation for the next generation. However, it was in the Care Ministry—where he was later asked to lead—that Angelo’s true pastoral gifts came to light. With deep compassion and a heart for the sick and elderly, he walked with individuals and families through some of their most difficult seasons. Whether visiting the hospital or officiating funerals, Angelo served with unwavering faithfulness and genuine love, becoming a steady source of comfort and strength to many.

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Steven and Mary Carey

Steven and Mary Carey were part of the original team that stepped out in faith from Brooklyn Tabernacle to help pioneer the new work at Christ Tabernacle. Both once pursuing promising musical careers, they chose instead to dedicate their gifts fully to ministry. As leaders of the church’s choir, they helped shape a powerful sound of worship that became central to the church’s identity. Steven Carey wrote original songs that stirred hearts and lifted voices, and each week he faithfully led the congregation into beautiful moments of worship. Together, Pastor Steven and Mary poured their lives into building a culture of worship that left a lasting impact on the church.

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Calvin Hunt

Calvin Hunt was a powerful testimony of God’s redeeming grace. Once bound by addiction, Calvin was miraculously delivered from a life of crack cocaine when he surrendered his heart to Jesus. Together with his wife, Miriam, he served faithfully at Christ Tabernacle alongside their children, becoming a pillar in the church. Both Calvin and Miriam sang in the church choir, where Calvin’s extraordinary voice and moving testimony captured hearts and opened doors for him to minister through music across the country. Despite the many invitations to travel and share his story, Christ Tabernacle remained his spiritual home—a place where his transformation began and where he continued to pour out his life in service and worship.

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Carmen Arroyo

Carmen Arroyo gave her life to Christ at Christ Tabernacle, where she quickly began serving in ministry with a heart full of devotion and a passion to help others grow in their faith. She was actively involved in the singles ministry before stepping into her calling as the leader of the nursery. For over 20 years, Carmen faithfully led a dedicated team of women who cared for babies during services, allowing parents the opportunity to worship and receive the Word uninterrupted. But her role went far beyond organizing schedules and overseeing the nursery—Carmen became a spiritual mother and pastor to her team. She prayed with them, discipled them, and walked alongside them through the joys and trials of life. Her legacy is one of quiet strength, unwavering faithfulness, and a deep commitment to serving both God and people.

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Anthony and Sandy Ray

Anthony and Sandy Ray were the first youth leaders at Christ Tabernacle, bringing with them a deep passion for the next generation. Originally from Brooklyn Tabernacle, where they were both impacted by the youth ministry, they answered the call to now become youth leaders themselves. At Christ Tabernacle, they faithfully led the youth with dedication, raising their own children within the church community they helped shape. Their leadership extended beyond just ministering to students—they built and nurtured a committed team of volunteers who served alongside them, creating a strong, family-like environment that empowered young people to grow in their faith and purpose.

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John and Evelyn Rivera

John and Evelyn Rivera faithfully led the Just Kidz Children's Ministry, bringing with them a deep passion for raising up the next generation in Christ. Originally part of another church, they felt a clear call from God to be part of this new work, and they stepped into their assignment with wholehearted dedication. As leaders of the children's ministry, they not only developed a thriving environment where kids could learn about Jesus in a fun and engaging way, but they also built an incredible team of volunteers who served with joy and excellence. Their vision and leadership made Just Kidz a place where every child felt seen, known, and loved. Along the way, they raised their own children in the life of the church, modeling what it means to serve God as a family.

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Carlos and Yvonne Paniagua

Carlos and Yvonne Paniagua served at the Brooklyn Tabernacle before stepping out in obedience to join Pastor Michael and Maria Durso in the launch of the new church. Soon Carlos became the Associate Pastor and, alongside Yvonne, became a vital source of support to the Dursos. With a heart for building the Church, Carlos played a key role in establishing ministry structures and raising up layers of leadership to support the growing congregation. Carlos was also instrumental in locating and securing the Glendale building, which became a significant step in the church’s expansion and impact.

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Luis and Miriam Ruiz

Luis and Miriam Ruiz were faithful members of Brooklyn Tabernacle when they sensed a clear call from God to support the emerging ministry at Christ Tabernacle. With a deep passion for guiding and nurturing new believers, they took on the responsibility of teaching the foundational "Stewardship" classes designed specifically for new converts. Through these classes, Luis and Miriam helped countless individuals take essential next steps in their faith journey, including baptism and developing a love for Bible reading. Though their roles expanded and varied over the years, their unwavering commitment to discipleship and seeing new believers grow in Christ remained at the core of their ministry.

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Meg Holley

Meg Holley is a pillar of faith and servant leadership, having dedicated over 35 years to full-time ministry. Leaving behind her profession as an educator and her home church, the Brooklyn Tabernacle, Meg answered the call to help grow and build Christ Tabernacle. Since those early days, she has faithfully served to support senior leadership. Whether teaching classes, guiding small groups, or simply modeling steadfast devotion, Meg has been an unwavering example of faithfulness, commitment, and grace to generations of believers. Her legacy continues to inspire all.

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